APO Componon HM 45mm f4?

[chip j]

In B&W, what would it give me compared to my late model Componon S? Thanks

 

[tedr1]

what is the focal length and aperture of the S?

how many elements does each lens have?

 

[Mick Fagan]

If you expose film with an Apochromatic lens, meaning all three colours are almost identically focused, then the resulting enlargement using an Apochromatic lens would also focus all three colours almost identically.

In this scenario, your prints would probably be sharper looking and most likely have slightly higher contrast than those enlarged with your Schneider Componon S.

I've used Apochromatic enlarging lenses, various types, they almost always do make for very pleasing prints. The difference between a Componon S enlarging lens and an Apochromatic enlarging lens is subtle and usually noticeable and can sometimes lift a very good negative just that little bit more.

This is almost a case for ever diminishing returns. A Componon S lens with six elements is a reasonably big step in quality over a 4 element enlarging lens, but the difference between the Apochromatic 45mm wide angle lens and the 50mm Componon S is less; but still there.

If I had the opportunity to obtain a Schneider wide angle Apochromatic enlarging lens, I would grab it.

You will notice fewer problems with larger magnification of the image and it will be a seamless transition from your 50mm Componon S with regard to how the Iris lever works.

From memory, you should be able to do close to 1m wide prints on the long side of a 35mm negative. Providing your enlarger is critically aligned and you are using a glass negative holder, you should be quite amazed at the results. You will need a very good negative and very good darkroom technique though.

Mick.

 

[ic-racer]

Better flatness of field at high magnification.

 

[chip j]

Thanks, Mick.

 

[AgX]

Better flatness of field at high magnification.

-) flatness of field results in better sharpness stated above

-) I do not see how flatness of field is related to the image scale.
Related to the image scale though is the perception of the related sharpness.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

In a forensic lab it might make a difference, hardly in anything else. But price does take the gear into a different social territory. Just an off opinion, I have not used it, I'm beyond happy with Componon S structures and cannot see how a stratospherically priced lens would make my images better.

Having said that, there are some ecstatic reviews on BH Photo (and likely elsewhere). Price does command a happy outcome, or depression might set in.

 

[chip j]

Actually, there's not much difference in price--Coponon S is $570, and APO Componon is about $640 (at Adorama).

 

[ic-racer]

-) flatness of field results in better sharpness stated above

-) I do not see how flatness of field is related to the image scale.
Related to the image scale though is the perception of the related sharpness.

Yes,you have likely seen this with high magnification enlargements; these blurry corners are just out of focus. Bringing them into focus puts the central portion out of focus. A non- glass carrier makes it worse because the field curvature is opposite the natural film curl

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Actually, there's not much difference in price--Coponon S is $570, and APO Componon is about $640 (at Adorama).

There is s huge second hand difference, at least from what I could see. You can have Componon S for around $100-120 with some patience, I have not seen HM coming under $300 (although I don't look much for it), possibly far fewer were made.